Portulacaria plant named ‘LILLIPUT’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Portulacaria cultivar named ‘LILLIPUT’ is disclosed, characterized by a diminutive overall stature, and small emerald green leaves. Plants are a size suitable for smaller gardens. The new variety is a Portulacaria, typically produced as a garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Portulacaria afra.

Variety denomination: ‘LILLIPUT’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a naturally occurring whole plant mutation in a commercial nursery in Vista, Calif. The parent is an unpatented, unnamed variety of Portulacaria afra. ‘LILLIPUT’ was found and selected by the inventor in Vista, Calif. in June 2013.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘LILLIPUT’ was first performed by vegetative tip cuttings at a commercial greenhouse in Vista, Calif. in July 2013. ‘LILLIPUT’ has since produced at least 15 generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘LILLIPUT’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘LILLIPUT’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘LILLIPUT’ as a new and distinct Portulacaria cultivar:

-   -   1. Small overall stature.     -   2. Small leaves.     -   3. Suitable for smaller gardens.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LILLIPUT’ are similar to the parent in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new variety differ from the parent in the following:

-   -   1. New variety exhibits a smaller stature than the parent.     -   2. New variety displays a miniature appearance, due to smaller         ramification and smaller leaves than the parent. The parent is         standard sized.     -   3. New variety is more suitable for small dish gardens than the         parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘Lilliput’ can be compared to the unpatented commercial variety Portulacaria afra ‘Prostrata’. The two Portulacaria varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety differs in the following:

-   -   1. New variety has smaller leaves than this comparator.     -   2. New variety has an upright morphology, while the comparator         has a more pendulous morphology.     -   3. New variety is more suitable for small dish gardens than this         comparator.

‘Lilliput’ can also be compared to the unpatented commercial variety Portulacaria afra ‘Variegta’. The two Portulacaria varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety differs in the following:

-   -   1. New variety displays a more diminutive morphology than this         comparator.     -   2. New variety exhibits much smaller leaves and ramifications         than this comparator.     -   3. ‘Lilliput’ produces leaves that are monotone emerald green,         whereas ‘Variegta’ produces mint green leaves, margined with         pale yellow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and equipment. While the colors in these photographs may display variances of color as compared to the living cultivar, due to LRV (light reflectance value), they are as accurate as possible using conventional photographic techniques. Colors in the photographs may appear to differ slightly from the color values cited in the botanical description, which accurately describe the colors of new Portulacaria afra ‘Lilliput’.

FIG. 1 illustrates in full color the rosette being described of Portulacaria afra ‘Lilliput’, grown in a greenhouse (approximately 2500 foot candles) in Vista, Calif., at approximately 1 year.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a comparison of stems and foliage of 4 Portulacaria afra varieties. On the far left is Portulacaria afra ‘Macrophylla’, next from the left Portulacaria afra (unnamed parent), third from the left, Portulacaria afra ‘Prostrata’. Furthest right is Portulacaria afra ‘Lilliput’. All plants were grown in a greenhouse (approximately 2500 foot candles) in Vista, Calif.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart, 2007 edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘LILLIPUT’ plants in a commercial shadehouse in Vista, Calif. Temperatures ranged from 34° F. to 90° F. during the night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were approximately 3000 to 4000 foot candles of light. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Portulacaria afra ‘LILLIPUT’. -   Age of the plant described: About 1 year.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 25 days at 22° C. -   Propagation method: Vegetative tip cuttings.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Tender succulent. Upright, with lateral branches     occurring at angles of 15 to 85° from center. Acute angles most     common. -   Container size: 5 inches. -   Height: Approximately 32 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 30 cm, in a 5 inch pot. -   Growth rate: Moderate. -   Branching characteristics: Opposite. Each opposite pair occurring     90° from above pair. -   Length of lateral branches: Average range 5 to 21 cm. -   Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 4 to 5 mm. -   Quantity branches: 2 to 4 large main lateral branches, from each     main stem. Upper section of main stems has 8 to 12 small lateral     branches forming.     -   -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Shape.—Round.         -   Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Purple 185B. -   Root description: Densely fibrous. Brown, not accurately measured     with a standard color chart.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite Sessile.         -   Average length.—Average range 1.2 to 1.5 cm.         -   Average width.—Average range 1.1 to 1.4 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Broad spatulate.         -   Apex.—Broad rounded, mucronate.         -   Base.—Broad taper.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous.         -   Appearance of top surface.—Slightly glossy.         -   Appearance of lower surface.—Slightly glossy.         -   Quantity of leaves per branch.—Approximately 50.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: RHS Yellow-Green 144A.             Young foliage, under side: RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Mature             foliage upper side: RHS Green 138A. Mature foliage, under             side: RHS Yellow-Green 144A.         -   Venation.—There is no visual appearance of venation.

FLOWER

-   Flowering not observed.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Fruits and seeds: Not observed to date. -   Temperature tolerance: USDA zones 10 and above. -   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     standard pathogens or pests of Portulacaria observed. -   Drought tolerance: Good tolerance for drought. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Portulacaria plant named ‘LILLIPUT’ as herein illustrated and described. 